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If you can't find blood on the ground after the shot, your next best option is to find your arrow and examine it carefully. Most deer with an abdominal wound will bed down within a short distance if left alone. As the deer walks, its back end could appear raised, with the legs in a wide stance. Once a paunch-shot deer begins walking, it will move very slowly with its head down.Īnother common trait of the paunch-shot deer is a hunched over appearance. It then stood in one location for 15 minutes before slowly walking away. I know of one liver-shot buck that ran about 80 yards before stopping. Once the deer stops, it could stand in place for one or more minutes. In many cases, a deer with an abdomen wound will stop within 50 yards. The distance it travels before stopping could vary from only a few yards to 100 yards. It seldom runs hard and will usually appear to lope. In many instances, it will jump or flinch as the arrow hits before bounding away. A severed kidney results in immediate hemorrhage and will put a deer down quickly.Ī paunch-shot deer usually runs only a short distance before stopping. Although the kidneys are located high and just in front of the hips, they do not relate to the paunch wound. I classify an abdomen shot as anything including liver, stomach and intestines. Another common trait of the paunch-shot deer is a hunched over appearance. A paunch-shot deer will typically walk very slowly, with its head down. Tracking the animal also requires a different approach. In fact, the difference is like night and day. The reaction of a deer hit in the abdomen differs greatly from that of a lung- or heart-shot deer.

An arrow that hits low, just behind the front leg at the brisket, could nick the heart and miss the lungs entirely.Ī paunch-shot deer will typically walk very slowly, with its head down. There are cases where heart-shot deer have traveled up to 200 yards, but this usually occurs if the arrow only nicks or slices the heart. I point this out just to let you know unusual incidents do occur. Upon field dressing the deer, it was obvious the arrow had penetrated both lungs. He swore the arrow passed through the deer just behind the shoulder but began to wonder after she ran a short distance, stopped, looked back and snorted. Consider a mature doe my son shot several years ago as it stood broadside. While this is the common reaction, exceptions do exist. Such clues can be extremely helpful in planning your recovery strategy. Watch deer carefully after the shot for any clues you can gather about where they are hit. Most deer that are hit will flee the scene with their tail down. Long strides are common, and their belly is low to the ground.

They remind me of a racehorse running down the final stretch of the track. Such clues can be extremely helpful in planning your recovery strategy.Ī deer that is hit in both lungs typically runs hard and fast. The lungs of an adult deer are roughly nine inches in diameter and offer the largest target. An arrow that takes out both lungs will result in a quick and humane kill. I've always classified the vital heart and lungs as the boiler room. Most archers take only ethical shots and have a good understanding of whitetail anatomy. A visual confirmation gave me a good idea of where the arrow hit, but it was the deer's reaction to the impact that provided solid evidence of a heart shot. Moments later, he fell and lay motionless.Īlthough the kill was quick and took only seconds, I had already determined the arrow zipped through the buck's heart. His tail twitched erratically as he did his best to stay on his feet, but I could see that time was against him. He ran hard for 30 yards, then slowed to a staggering walk like someone well over their legal limit of alcohol. Meanwhile, the buck's hind legs kicked out. Upon releasing the arrow, I saw the white vanes disappear into the deer, forward and slightly low. Then, he entered the small opening I had made several weeks earlier after setting up the stand.

A cluster of honeysuckle allowed me to draw my bow. He would be there in seconds, and I knew the day of truth had arrived. As the buck approached, I gazed ahead and spotted the shooting lane.